Set up a shared W11 folder across multiple computers to enable Free File Sync access.
Set up a shared W11 folder across multiple computers to enable Free File Sync access.
If W11 existed and you avoid bash commands, then why did you choose Linux?
Linux offers capabilities similar to Windows for everyday tasks. I wanted to test if it meets my requirements. (Note: I own three pre-TPM PCs running Windows 11, but I’m considering replacing them if Microsoft stops providing updates for those systems. I noticed older setups run Linux more smoothly.) Instead of simply logging in and entering login details, I’m forced to type commands from various sites and manually note IP addresses. Can Linux automatically detect the network and display available resources? Isn’t it more like a server than a personal computer? I also face challenges installing VMware software because some systems add extra dependencies. Linux tends to perform better when you only use what’s already installed or available in repositories. Once proprietary programs are needed or I switch devices, I end up reading instructions on random pages. (Note: My PC is in a living room on a TV, used with a wireless keyboard and touchpad. This would be simpler with a proper desk setup and mouse.)
You have options to adjust file and folder synchronization modes: "send-receive", "send only", or "receive only". File versioning is available in the folder settings. The interface is web-based and accessible via your web browser.
I managed to grasp the syncing process, though it feels a bit intimidating without a visual interface. I have to adjust settings carefully and worry about unintended changes. FreeFileSync allows me to manually check files and start mirroring, which is helpful. On my W11 folder, I only granted read access, so I’m careful not to accidentally overwrite the original. For backups, it’s crucial for someone new to understand exactly what each setting does. I created a test folder on both Windows and Linux to verify data synchronization, but so far it hasn’t worked. I also need to explore another tool suggested by someone else that improves network visibility: https://apps.kde.org/smb4k/. I plan to try some terminal commands as well. My previous setup used Suse Tumbleweed, but I faced stability problems like crashes and disappearing interfaces. I’ll switch back to Debian and focus on terminal methods. There are differences between distros, which makes learning commands more challenging. I also encountered issues with VMWare and Suse because proprietary RPMs seem optimized for RHEL, not Debian. Going back to Debian with .deb packages should help. I didn’t realize how much these small variations between systems can affect things—especially if you rely on a specific software. The terminal commands differ too, making it harder to pick up quickly. My old hardware (ASRock H110m with i7-7700k and 16GB RAM) worked perfectly on W11, but Linux Mint (Ubuntu) didn’t. I installed it twice before it crashed immediately after startup, which is strange. It seems older systems might not be as forgiving. All the newer distros (Suse, Debian, Fedora) functioned smoothly right away. I’m determined to get this working and will spend more time learning the details. Thanks for the guidance.
It seems like your comment isn't being read properly. Try opening localhost:8384 in your browser while Syncthing is active. You can set the shared folder to "Send Only" so updates from one side won't affect the source. Any changes will be logged automatically. You can also set "versioning" for files and folders, though I haven't used it before so its functionality is unclear. Basically, skip Samba and Windows network sharing—it's not very stable. Updates often break it, which is why people switch distros. Debian might be outdated.
i was able to use the "GUI"in the browser. This isn't the problem. but it has no user interface for actual syncing. You have to blindly trust all settings to be correct. Did you ever use Free File sync? Here is how it works: First yo make it compare the files in both folders. it will show you what it discovered and plans to do based on your settings. See the below example, where it shows for each file if that will be a new file, if it will be deleted, overwritten or not changed: And AFTER you manually verified all looks OK , you hit the "synchronize" button to actually do what it proposes. Especially the first time you set this up, it is very helpful to "see" what it will do. For most my backups over the network or external HDD, i do it manually. But you also can set it up to synchronize automatically (the very first time, it still is a good idea to do manually to see if it is set correctly) None of that is the case with syncthing. If you set it up wrong, it may sync the wrong way and you won't know before the damage is done.
Because this setup is currently just a single Linux machine with occasional backups, I opted to use an external HDD for FFS synchronization. Everything else on Debian feels smoother than W11. Until a better option emerges, I’m sticking with the manual external HDD approach. I’ve tried running terminal commands from various websites without success, and it seems each distribution handles things differently. I wish there was a user-friendly GUI tool—or one already built for Linux. Dolphin can access shared folders, but it crashes on every platform I’ve tested. This highlights a potential weakness in Linux. My main desktops won’t switch away from W11 anytime soon, so I still have a few convenient backup spots that work out of the box with FFS. I’m not giving up; I just want to avoid spending more time configuring my PC. Now I’m using Debian 13 and aim to enjoy my videos and keep things simple. Every few weeks I connect my external HDD and sync the files.
Success! It functions without Terminal. I'm now using "MX Linux KDE". This should also work on other distributions. You must have Smb4K installed (it was already there on MX Linux, but not on the others I tested). You also need the IPv4 address of the W11 PC. Smb4k can't automatically detect the W11 PC, so you need to open the mount dialog and input the details.
I made a mistake earlier—I didn't include the folder name (like "Data" in my case). It will also prompt you for login info to that folder. I'm not sure if it will retain those details after syncing again.
In Free File sync, you have to locate the Smb4K folder and then use it similarly to Windows. Overall, it's almost as simple as in W11. The only extra challenge is getting the IPv4 address and knowing whether it will remember the mount info.
The PC I'm testing doesn<|pad|>, currently lacks a large SSD with the data I want to back up. This is just a demonstration; I'll need to configure it on the actual machine I plan to use. Then I'll have to check if the mounting information is retained.
I discovered two additional enhancements (and the best part, none of them require a terminal): - Smb4K includes a bookmark option. This eliminates the need to re-enter details like IP addresses each time I want to sync. Now I simply launch SMb4K, activate the bookmark, and mount the shared folder. Free File Sync functions normally (FFS also retains settings). I also noticed a small issue. When syncing data to a partition, you’ll need to manually mount it and re-enter the password (frustrating). There are methods to edit the fstab file directly or via terminal. KDE offers a mounting utility that auto-mounts partitions, but it still asks for the password after login—prompting me repeatedly. This was bothersome. However, there’s a “Gnome Disks” app that can automatically mount partitions without re-entering the password. Don’t let the name mislead—this works on both KDE and GNOME. With this, things can be handled similarly to Windows without using a terminal. It’s not simple, but it could simplify the process for others facing the same challenge.